Quite often during Bridgeport City Council meetings, there is need for legal clarification on various items of business. Regardless of the inquiry, City Attorney Dean Ramsey has a prompt, professional answer.

 

But Monday evening, during Council’s second meeting for the month of September, Ramsey was left speechless. Though not on the official agenda, Ramsey was honored for 50 years of legal service, 45 of which have been spent serving the city.

 

Mayor Andy Lang did the honors of reading a proclamation, pointing out Ramsey’s loyalty to Bridgeport and his trusted legal counsel, providing a solid foundation for decades of city projects and growth. Ramsey’s service has not gone unnoticed, Lang said, and has been invaluable to our city. (See video of the proclamation reading below.)

 

After receiving a standing ovation by a packed house, Ramsey simply replied, “Thank you.”

 

Also honored were members and range masters of Boy Scout Troop 40 for their courageous and potentially life-saving actions on June 13. The scouts were attending day camp at the VA Park in Clarksburg when a large sycamore tree fell on the canopy tent where 11 cub scouts under the age of 9 were preparing to shoot BB guns.

 

“The canopy and everything under it was totally destroyed and had it not been for the courageous acts of four boy scouts and two range masters, 11 lives would’ve possibly been lost that day,” Lang said. “Now, therefore, I, Andy Lang, Mayor of the City of Bridgeport, on behalf of the governing body and all the citizens of Bridgeport, by this proclamation, do hereby recognize boy scouts J.D. Ritchie, III, John R. “Jack” Dotson, III, Casey Bone, and Derek Gifford, along with Range Masters Joe Ritchie, II and Chuck Gearhart for their courageous acts and extend our gratitude for their quick actions on June 13, 2019 making the City of Bridgeport very proud.”

Each of those individuals were awarded a plaque, crafted from slices of the sycamore tree. The plaques were made by David Hosaflook, Unit Commissioner for Cub Pack 39 and Troop 40 of Bridgeport, who thanked Council and Mayor Lang for recognizing the local heroes.

Lang and Bridgeport Recorder/Eagle Scout Hank Murray presented the awards to the scouts and range masters, prompting a standing ovation and rush of applause.

 

Peggy Sue Miller of the Mountaineer Area Scout Council narrated while showing photos of the collapsed canopy. She said amidst terror and confusion, the scouts and staff members displayed that same calm confidence, bravery and quick action that had been instilled in them through their years of scouting; getting those located under the canopy outside to safety, treating injuries and calming an adult who had witnessed the incident.  

 

“This incident and these heroic actions of these volunteers never made the news,” Miller said. “We’ve seen similar circumstances at camps across the country and we recognize that the actions and dedication of these individuals before us are the specific reasons we are celebrating rather than mourning. Their actions saved numerous lives that day and we are eternally grateful and the community thanks you for your service.”

 

Members of Boy Scouts Troop 40 presented the colors at Monday’s meeting, after which they led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lou Ortenzio, director of the Clarksburg Mission, provided the invocation.

 

All business which came before Council resulted in unanimous votes, including the reappointment of Drew Pomeroy to the Bridgeport Development Board and the reappointment of James Griffin to the Harrison County Commission and the City of Clarksburg as Bridgeport’s appointment to the CENTRA Board. Pomeroy will serve a three-year term and Griffin will serve a two-year term.

 

Community Development Director Andrea Kerr explained the next two agenda items, starting with the Bridgeport Development Authority’s recommendation for a façade improvement grant for a proposed project for Alghadban, LLC located at 136 West Main Street. Proposed improvements to the property, Kerr said, include placing a stucco-type material over painted cement blocks, installing awnings in the front of the building and adding a fire escape down the side of the building. There is currently only one way in/out of the upper floor, where Alghadban recently renovated four rental units.

 

Kerr also explained property owner Jim Devericks’ request to the city to abandon an alley which borders his property at 446 East Olive Street.

 

Devericks was granted one abandonment a couple of years ago and has requested another.

 

 “His property is mostly in the floodway – which is a little different from a floodplain - because you cannot build at all in a floodway,” Kerr said. “He wants to tear down his existing house and build a new one on his property and he is having to actually build close to his property line on the corner in order to get out of the floodway. Therefore, he got an abandonment on one side a couple years ago, but it looks like he’s going to need a little more room so he’s requesting abandonment on the other side.”

 

The city’s affirmative vote means a public hearing will be advertised and if there is no opposition to the abandonment, an order will be signed by Mayor Lang and a quitclaim deed will be prepared. Ramsey explained that that quitclaim deed does not grant the property owner title to the property, but it simply abandons the city’s right to open the alley as a public street.

 

The final item of business was a general fund budget revision authorizing the city to make a $15,000 donation to the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center for transportation services.

 

Councilman Greer commented that he doesn’t believe the general public knows the magnitude of the service provided by the senior center. He wanted to publicly challenge the city of Clarksburg and the Harrison County Commission to match Bridgeport’s contribution, unless they have already done so.

 

Several councilmen, as well as Mayor Lang, made mention of USA Today’s recent listing of the nation’s top cities in which to live. Bridgeport landed at no. 16.

 

“I talk a lot about economic growth and that is something that’s close to my heart, but a lot of the things Council talks about are projects like the indoor sports and recreation complex – for which they’ve started digging footers – and Menards home store coming to Charles Pointe and projects at the (North Central West Virginia) Airport,” Lang said. “But I took time to drive around town on some of the back streets and I don’t want anyone to forget the other projects that make this town what it is. It’s not about what you spend, but the time taken by our people to take care of where they live. We have smaller banks that pave their own driveways and I know of a house on Circle Drive that’s being completely restored. We don’t want to forget these little projects which small business owners and individuals do to make our city a special place to live.”

 

City Manager Randy Wetmore congratulated all involved in the Indian Run Invitational cross country meet held last Saturday at Bridgeport Recreation Complex.

 

“There was a large crowd and we’re pleased with the cooperation between the fire and police departments, parks and recreation and others who helped it go smoothly,” he said.

 

Councilman John Wilson extended his congratulations to Deputy Police Chief Randy Hartley, who recently announced his retirement.

“Mr. Hartley has given us several years of dedicated service to the city and it’s been well noted,” Wilson said. “He will be missed. He’s a very fine individual.”

 

Lang’s last remarks circled back to Ramsey’s recognition for 50 years of legal counsel.

 

“I cannot imagine serving as mayor for the last two years without being able to get Dean on the phone or sit with him on his front porch drinking iced tea,” he said. “He helps us keep the city moving forward.”

 

Council met in work session before the regular meeting. Coverage of that session is forthcoming to Connect-Bridgeport.